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Re: [RC] Starting mustangs under saddle - Karen SullivanHi Char and all.....even with the bigger-bodied horses, isn't it better to wait on the weight-carrying until knees have closed? I know a lot of folks start quarter horses at 2; and are doing pretty extreme thing like spins and slide stops at age 3,but doesn't necessarly seem like a good thing at all; just because it is industry standard. Seems at age 2, a lot can be done with ponying on trail with a light saddle with hanging stuff, voice commands, going places, maybe driving.....I guess I don't see the reason or need to get going much under saddle at age 2 when other things can be done and there is maybe a risk of damage. Doesn't Dr. Deb Bennet say the back and spine is the last part of the horse to stop growing? I think at age 2, I only did some stuff with sliding on and off my filly, even though she was very big and strong. Even at age 3 kept time on her back limited to 15 min. max...started increasing the time and lessons more at age 4.... Keep in mind, even though mine was "flat raised" on 10 acres; I had her out on the trail as a baby going on very short outings, but doing rough terrain and up and down hills, plus she got a lot of pasture running with the herd. But the hill work was consistent at least 2-4 times a week from age 6 months on...so I felt when I did start riding her, her legs and muscles were already pretty strong and toned. She was also used to all kinds of obstacles and weird things on the trail.... My mustang, who was a big girl was started under saddle at probably age 2 for short rides. Fortunately, only a month or so, and only walking rides. She then had pasture turnout until the gal sent her for more training when she was almost 4...and that training was more stressful with a lot of trotting.....I then got her on (age 4) and did a lot of slow trail miles, introducing hills, but no real speed yet. She likes to do a "power trot", but I felt this last year she was not at all legged up to do that, plus needed some calming down, so trots were kept to easy jog, and she basically got to be a trail horse for a year. Now, entering year 5; will continue to pick up difficulity of terrain,but still keep speed low....both for physcial and mental reasons..... I feel it takes a long time over years to really build up the integrity of the legs and back.... Karen ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ridecamp Guest" <guest-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2005 11:22 AM Subject: [RC] Starting mustangs under saddle Please Reply to: Char char.antuzzi@xxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ========================================== I know you don't want to hear "it depends on the horse" but it really does. The bigger bodied horses you can start as early as two, not hard core training, but getting them started under saddle, slow rides, etc. Liz Masters sent me up her mustang gelding to get going and I think he was three, and huge! His legs, back, knees, all were good to go and he carried himself really well. He was a strong, well put together horse. The smaller horses, yes you will have to wait until they get some growth on them. I'd say most of the time by 3-4 years of age your on them. As a side note, these horses can be very gentle from the get go. I am usually up on these guys within a week of them ever having a saddle put on their backs. As long as you connect with them, you have their trust and they know what you want there is never really a issue. Off course this is with any horse you start but the mustangs I've worked with have been so very easy to get going. They don't want to do anything stupid and take the risk of being hurt. They just don't over re-act to a lot of stuff Regards Char =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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